Dear Organisers

Dear the people who organise the 10k I have 2 requests if you may

1)  Is there any chance you could re name your famous 10k run the Baker Hughes 7.5k? I know it's not as catchy but I am mid training and I'm constantly hitting the 7.5k mark and the though of a further 2.5k seems really hard just now

2)  For future events could you please hold them later on in the year so I don't have to go out running at night when is 2 degrees centigrade and catch a cold

Thanks in advance

Donnie

Thank you so much (keep it coming)

I just wanted to write a short message to everyone who has donated to my just giving page http://www.justgiving.com/Donnie-Robertson as well as those who have donated through the more traditional methods

When I first started this back in January the main drive behind it all was for me to finally once and for all to get healthy and force me into running the 10k in May.  Over the months of training and healthy eating I am pleased to say I really feel better for although is still miss biscuits and cheese.

I always wanted to do this for charity too as I knew people around me would be more than happy to donate a few quid to this cause but the level of donations has truly blown me away. MS Scotland http://www.mssociety.org.uk/near-me/national-offices/scotland is a fantastic charity and really helps those who need it most.

I initially set a target of £200 which I thought would be well in excess of my own expectations and a really fantastic amount to raise but after around 3 donations I was already half way there so little by little I would bump it up by £50 until my friend said just go for £500.  I remember thinking crikey I bought my first car for £500 so to me this is still alot of money.

Well with 2 months to go I am really chuffed to say that the £500 target will definitely be hit so thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far

Special mention to

Family - You don't really have a choice but thanks anyway you know more than most what a good cause this is going to

Friends - You can always rely on your friends so thank you

Work colleagues - I have pestered them from the beginning and I'm sure a few have donated just to shut me up but thank you.  For those still to donate don't worry you'll get another reminder next payday!!

Work clients - They have enough on their plate trying to remember everything I tell them and all the forms they have to complete so to take the time out to donate to my cause is much appreciated.

School pals - I left school 18 years ago now ( i know I don't look it) but I was lucky enough to go to a great school with great friends and even though the only way we keep in touch is through social media I was truly taken aback by the support shown by my classmates so big thanks to you all

Finally for those who have no connection to me whatsoever friends of friends or friends of my mum I want to give you a really big thank you because even though you don't know me in anyway shape or form you still felt that this cause was a worthy one

I'd also like to give a thank you to MS Scotland who contacted me to ask if I needed anything to help with the fund raising and they were able to supply sponsor forms and a groovy orange t-shirt for race day so thanks.

So what next?  Well I guess £600+ is on the cards but I can't do it without your support so wherever you are reading this please give what you can as every little helps, you'll be giving to a great cause and I promise to run my heart out for you all

you can pay via http://www.justgiving.com/Donnie-Robertson or simply text DONR77 £the amount you wish to donate to 70070 or just give me cash and I'll send the money to MS Scotland on your behalf

Thanks again

Donnie

The heat is on

So just over a couple of months to go now until the big race and things are coming along nicely.

I'm currently working on 4 minute jogs with 2 minute walks in between times 10 and Its not as bad as I thought but what I have realised is that the recovery time now is much longer.  I frequently run between 7.5 and 8.5k just now and where I could run every second day before i now need a couple of days off to rest and recover.  What is funny is that when I look back to the start of my training I was doing 30 second jogs with 4 1/2 minute walks (which at the time tired me out!!) so to see the impact of the hard work is really encouraging.

I also this week totalled up all my runs and was astonished to find out that I had clocked up 71 miles of training not including walks at lunchtime so I'm hoping the hard work pays off in May.

I'm looking forward to the clocks changing at the end of this month so that I can perhaps enjoy a little sunlight during my runs and possibly some warmer temperatures too

Finally I just want to thank everyone again for their support and encouragement it really means alot, I first started this to force me into getting into shape and to stop being such a lazy bum but now with the addition of raising money for MS Scotland http://www.mssociety.org.uk/near-me/national-offices/scotland i really feel a sense of responsibility and achievement to it all so for everyone who has donated to date many thanks it really means alot.  For anyone thinking about donating please spare anything you can its for a great cause and will really go towards helping others

So please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Donnie-Robertson 

to give what you can

Many thanks

Donnie

Songs to run to

So 8k under my belt now and feeling good but what really gets me through my runs is the music pumping through my ears. This really distracts from the pain and hurt and pushes me on and on so its important to have the right tunes to keep me going, something too slow or easy listening doesn't really appeal likewise something too fast doesn't really help keep pace so its key to have the right balance


So here are my top 5 tunes to run to

•  O fortuna - now I wouldn't call myself a fan of classical music and to be fair this is a fairly mainstream song but it fairly gets me going with the slow build up then big crescendo at the end.  This really gets you going   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNWpZ-Y_KvU

• Don't stop believing - Journey - Yes thats right the song you've heard 10,000 times before but I'll tell you something the beat and the chorus line fairly distracts from the pain and hurt that goes on inside my head during a run  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5wVZwdHmRY

• Burning Heart - Rocky Soundtrack  - Rocky IV training song when he's ploughing  through the snow in Russia.  Great tune to keep you pumped during the run http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL3lJfpenAc

• Hey, Soul Sister - Train - The upbeat tempo of this tune really helps me through some of those tougher runs more so the uphill parts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnyJ73I1cJo 

Just a selection of good tunes that get me round my jog each night but there is one tune that defies all other tunes when it comes to pushing through the pain barrier and inspires me to keep pushing hard and that is

Number One Song to Run to...................................

Gonna Fly Now - Rocky Soundtrack - Rocky II absolute belter (to be honest I could have chosen the whole Rocky soundtrack as my favourite tunes) This tune no matter how many times i hear this still makes the hairs stand on end so much so that I have been partial to a wee shadow box mid run if this comes on.  Who couldn't be inspired by Stallone the Italian Stallion pounding the streets of Philadelphia being followed by all those kids then running up those steps at the end truly inspirational

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHQdpnYFl7k

Remember folks this is all part of the bigger picture and that is me running 10k for MS Scotland to help others less fortunate so please give generously http://www.justgiving.com/Donnie-Robertson

Thanks in advance

Donnie